Electric mobility strategy

Electric vehicles strategy

The City is focusing on all forms of electric mobility as reaching the net zero goals of our Calgary Climate Strategy will require changes in all aspects of transportation. Transportation in Calgary involves more than just cars. Some forms of electric mobility, such as e-bikes and e-scooters, also improve the livability of our city by making wheeling more accessible to Calgarians of all ages and abilities.

The EV and LEV Strategy  provide additional detail on how these actions will be implemented. They are closely tied to the Future of Transportation Program, which monitors and plans for the impacts of new technologies on how people will live, work and travel in Calgary over the coming decades.

Electric vehicles in Calgary

Why is The City focusing on electric vehicles?

Today, transportation accounts for approximately 34% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced in Calgary.

One of the greatest opportunities to reduce our transportation-related GHG emissions is to switch to vehicle technologies that produce fewer GHG emissions. That’s where electric vehicles (EVs) come in.

EVs produce no tailpipe emissions. There are GHG emissions associated with making the electric batteries and the electricity supply if it comes from a non-renewable source. The net result is that EVs produce about half the emissions of a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle in Alberta today. This gap in emissions will widen as the last coal-powered plants are decommissioned and the provincial electricity system increases inputs from renewable sources.

Every year, we are seeing the difference between the average cost of a new EV and a new gasoline-powered vehicle decrease, a wider variety of EV options (from smaller sedans to SUVs and pickups trucks) available for sale, more EVs on the used car market, and steady growth in new electric vehicle registrations. Therefore, we are working to prepare for many more EVs on Calgary streets in the coming years.  

Pie chart breakdown of Calgary community-wide GHG emissions by percentage
Visit the Calgary Climate Strategy page
Download the Climate Strategy

  • Electric vehicle incentives

    The Government of Canada offers a rebate up to $5,000 when you buy or lease an eligible zero-emission vehicle (ZEV). This program will continue until March 31, 2025 (or until available funding is exhausted).

    Some insurance companies also offer discounts for electric and hybrid vehicles.

What is the future of electric vehicles?

To further promote the usage and uptake of EVs, The City is advancing access to charging infrastructure by means of:

  • Education

    Develop education and outreach material to help build awareness of EVs and provide guides and online information to better support those considering EVs.

  • Community Charging Hubs

    Support and evaluate opportunities for implementation of community charging hubs. They are intended to serve an important role as part of the charging infrastructure network for those who do not have regular access to privately-owned charging sites (e.g. driveways, garages, parking lots, or parkades).

  • Curbside Charging

    Implement a curbside charging pilot project to provide another option for public EV charging and develop design guidelines to support the development of future curbside charging stations.

  • Bylaw Updates

    Provide input to the next update to Calgary’s Land Use Bylaw regarding improving access to EV charging infrastructure (e.g. incorporating EV charging infrastructure into building developments).

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